OrangeTractorTalks

Own any of these new Kubota models?

B2320, B2620, B3200, B26
BX1860, BX2360, BX2660, BX25
Grand L 40 Series, L45
M59, MX5100, M100X, M110X, M126X, M135X
RTV500, RTV900, RTV1100, RTV1140
T1880, T2080, T2380, ZG222, ZG227, ZG327, ZD321, ZD326, ZD331

Updated Maintenance Schedules
Late last year Kubota Canada issued a service bulletin detailing that the above models would have their maintenance intervals extended as an attempt to “reduce overall maintenance cost”.

If you do own one of these models you may want to acquaint yourself with the updated service intervals Kubota released along with the service bulletin. These charts are handy when you need to quickly reference when that next oil, fuel or hydraulic filter is due. You can find the updated schedules here:

Kubota Turf maintenance schedule
Kubota RTV maintenance schedule
Kubota B and L series maintenance schedule
Kubota M and MX series maintenance schedule

What Has Changed
If you look through some of the changes highlighted in yellow on the updated schedules, you will see that the next interval after the first service has been pushed out anywhere from 100 to 300 hours. For example, transmission fluid changed at 350 hours instead of 200, or axle case fluid swapped at 400 instead of 300 hours.

Using the BX1860, BX2360, BX2660 or BX25 as an example – the new updates mean that the transmission fluid will be changed once in the first 400 hours of service, instead of the three times it was changed previously. The hydraulic filter is swapped out just about as many times as before. From our own experience we have seen that 50 hour transmission fluid looks pretty clean.

Why Extend the Next Service Interval?
Justin Derzaph, the AG/Construction Sales Manager at Pinnacle International Kubota (Redcliffe, Alberta) explains that some of the reasoning behind the service interval extensions and revisions are due to improved efficiency of Kubota’s new Tier 4 compliant equipment.

We will come back to this in a moment, but first a quick lesson on the state of diesel emissions legislation in the United States as it applies to agricultural equipment…

Understanding Diesel Emission Regulation
Diesel emissions are regulated in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA for short. In Canada and most other countries a similar government body exists. Every 4 years since the year 2000 the EPA has required diesel engine suppliers to reduce emissions on new engines manufactured for off-road products – like your orange tractor for instance.

Diesel engines manufactured after January 1, 2008 must be Tier 3 or Tier 4i compliant. It was permitted to sell product with Tier 2 engines in 2008 so long as the engines were built in 2007.

EPA Tier 4i is an interim standard with lower emission levels than those required to meet Tier 3, but it is not as low as Tier 4 Final that comes into effect 2012. Tier 4i engines can be manufactured for an additional year before Tier 4 Final goes into effect.

Where Kubota Stands
Kubota has met the Tier 4 Final standard on their engines already so their diesel engine design will actually not need to change again for 8 full years at the latest. Kubota will likely not sit around waiting though – it has been known to be well ahead of the curve regarding emissions standards and probably already has folks looking into it.

The upgrades that go into making a Kubota run cleaner, more efficient also mean that some of those maintenance items can go an extra 50, 100 or even 200 hours. Saves you money too. Handy.

50 Hour Service Important
Justin reminds us that those items included under a 50 hour service are still very important and Kubota has not eliminated or changed any aspect of that first service and inspection.

There is a lot of flash left over from the manufacturing process that those first set of filters will catch. Change that oil and oil filter as per usual. You will want to keep your warranty in check and also maximize the performance of your new equipment – something that only regular maintenance can provide.

Special thanks to Justin at Pinnacle International Kubota in Alberta for shedding some light on Kubota’s service interval updates. If you are in the southern Alberta area and looking for Kubota sales or service, check out their shop just NW of Medicine Hat. Good guys.

Service Department Vic

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A couple of shots we snapped of new RTVs still in their packaging!

Even larger equipment is also stacked – B, L or M series included. The gents in the shipping department skip the wood frames in the case of larger equipment and stick to steel cages that better protect the orange paint. It is a long boat ride across the Pacific!

Here we have a M7040 that is folded up nicely to fit into its enclosure. I’d imagine a dozen or more of these would fit into a standard size shipping container. Better make sure your forklift is in good running order.

Anyone want to guess what is inside every orange box that is included? No really – I forgot to open it up and take a look when I had the chance!

Jars of biodiesel labled according to their various sources.

Biodiesel. This is a topic that gets kicked around quite a bit these days as public awareness of this alternative fuel source increases. This article will focus on whether as a Kubota owner with equipment under warranty, is biodiesel okay to use without damaging your engine or voiding your warranty. This type of fuel is getting popular so if you have not had a look already, it might still be a good idea to familiarize yourself with biodiesel and its properties.

Ok to use? Yes and No
Yes, since late 2006, Kubota has approved certain models of their lineup for running on biodiesel. The catch is the fuel must come from a refiner that is an accredited producer and the fuel must be a B5 blend of 5% bio-fuel and 95% petroleum diesel. So, certain models are not covered and using a fuel blend higher than 5% or fuel that you make in yourself in the back shed are a no-nos.

Right now, some of the models Kubota has approved for B5 blend include:

• BX1500, BX1800, BX2200, BX1830, BX2230, BX1850, BX2350, BX22, BX23 and BX24
• B7410, B7510, B7610, B7800, B2630, B3030, B21 and B26
• L2800, L3400 and L4400 (Kubota’s Super Three engines)
• L3130, L3430, L3830, L4330, L4630 and L5030
• L39 and L48 – possibly L45 when it comes out this spring/summer

You can read Kubota’s press release regarding its stance on the use of biodiesel in its equipment and see the full list of models.

Why not Higher Blends?
There is another blend of biodiesel that is trying to make headway – B20 which is a 20/80 blend of bio-fuel and the usual petroleum diesel. In 2003 the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) released a ruling that the maximum biodiesel blend for mass-produced agriculture and automotive engines should be B5, not B20. It looks like Kubota is also falling into alignment with this recommendation.

Reading through Kubota’s press release on biodiesel they use a lot of the same terms quoted as the EMA’s for their reasoning behind the use of B5 so it is unclear if Kubota performed their own first-hand testing with biodiesel or is simply following this recommendation.

Drawbacks of Higher Blend Biodiesel
Reading through the EMA’s ruling, they list these reasons against blends higher than 5%:

“neat biodiesel and higher percentage biodiesel blends can cause a variety of engine performance problems including filter plugging, injector coking, piston ring sticking and breaking, elastomer seal swelling and hardening/cracking, and severe engine lubricant degradation. In addition, elastomer compatibility with biodiesel remains unclear; therefore, when biodiesel fuels are used, the condition of seals, hoses, gaskets and wire coatings should be monitored regularly.”

“Neat” as in how you have your drink – 100% pure – like without diluting your single malt scotch and ruining the whole thing!

What this means is that if you do decide to go with biodiesel, keep lots of filters on hand for the fuel system or consider installing a secondary fuel filter. Also, biodiesel does not store well for long periods as regular diesel fuel does. It absorbs moisture from the air and lacks the additives to prevent clouding and gelling of the fuel in cold climates. The use of a magnetic block heater would be advised to keep the bio-fuel warm in the tank if your Kubota is spending time in a sub-zero working environment.

Service Department Vic

Kubota's new L45 replaces the outgoing L48 which was discontinued last year.

Rumors of the L45’s arrival have been circling since mid 2008 and earlier this month Kubota officially announced their new L45 tractor-loader-backhoe, part of their TLB series that includes the L39 and the new B26 and M59 models. Previous favorites of this lineup included the L35 and L48, discontinued in 2004 and 2008 respectively. The arrival of this model restores the number of L-series TLB models back to its usual two offerings.

HST Transmssion Introduced
The big changes for the L45 are the introduction of an HST transmission and backhoe thumb controls. Unlike the L39’s glide-shift transmission, a hydrostatic transmission means the L45 can creep along – handy when performing repetitive tasks and you do not want to take your hands off the trigger (or thumb stick in this case).

Dual speed control on the HST pedal also mean not taking your hands off the loader or backhoe controls when shifting gears. Kubota also introduces auto throttle advance which kicks up the throttle automatically if climbing a hill with a load or moving into a pile that would otherwise ordinarily stall the engine. Handy.

Outside cover and inside details of the Kubota's L45 brochure. Click image to see inside.

Availability and Pricing
Quotes on pricing for the new model are around $43,000 to $46,000 MSRP depending on having any auxiliary hydraulic kits installed, plus an additional $800-1000 freight and final destination assembly fee. This pricing is a bit above a similarity equipped L48 that Kubota introduced in 2001 for $40,000+. Look for the L45 to show up at your local dealership’s lot this spring or early summer.

Update March 21/2009: Our sources say to look for the L45 to show up at your dealership’s lot within the next couple of weeks (late March early April 2009).

L39 versus L45
The L45 runs on a 4 cylinder, 2.2L power plant and offers a bit more horsepower than its brother model – 45 versus 39 horsepower. Size and weight-wise, the models are comparable with the L45 weighing less than 200lbs more than the L39 and having only a slightly longer wheel base.

L39 versus L45 Specifications

The L45 is equipped with a TL1000A loader which is a modified TL1000 found on the L39 and loader specifications are beefier on the L45. The TL1000A increases maximum lift from 2760 lbs to 2848 lbs, and breakout force from 3560 lbs to 4530 lbs. Both tractors have auto leveling loaders.

Backhoe specs are identical between the two models with both boasting 10″ of maximum digging depth and more than 5800 lbs of digging force on the bucket.

Pictures Wanted
Thinking of buying an L45? Have pictures from your dealer’s lot or trade show? We would love to post up some non-stock photos – mrk@orangetractortalks.com.

An article the gives a quick overview of five engine models in Kubota’s Super Three series of engines. Kubota manufacturers these engines in their Tsukuba Japan facility and they are found on modern equipment.

Super Three Engines – Where They Fit In
Kubota’s Super Three engines are 3 and 4 cylinder engines that have an operating range of 2600-2800 rpm and outputs of 29 to 57 horsepower. They are liquid cooled and for the most part, naturally aspirated (only the V2003 is turbocharged). All Super Three engines have a “03″ designation and are found on newer Kubota models as well as third-party equipment that Kubota supplies to (Bobcat, Skylift, track-hoes, etc).

On the lower power end, the “03″ series overlaps a bit on the range of high revving Super “05″ series but covers the 40+ horsepower range nicely until the larger, beefier, V3300 series takes over. Design of the Series Three engines began in 1990 and their production continues today.

Super Three engines, D1403, D1703, V1903, V2203 and V2003 cover the gap from the Super Five to the heavy-hitting V3300 engine models. Horsepower rating runs along the bottom of this chart.

Low Emissions
Kubota built these engines with low emission technology – the design of the engine lowers the intake temperature and creates a unique air/fuel vortex in the combustion chamber via a concaved recess on the piston head. The result is reduced emissions while still maintaining high output. This low emission engines were built, among other things, to meet the United States EPA’s requirements for lower emissions for agricultural equipment.

A cross-section of the combustion chamber of Kubota's Super Three engine. The fan-shaped concave recess, #7, causes the air/fuel mixture to swirl, #3, in a specific way that yields lower emissions.

This engine series, and the others that Kubota produces that are low emission, is something they are really proud of. Quoted from their industrial engine website:

The ability to produce engines that are capable of clearing all emission regulations is the Division’s driving force in producing advanced, high quality engines of the future.

I’m sure another, unspoken, driving force for the Division is the buckets of cash Kubota reels in from its engine division. They’ve got bills to pay like everyone else.

Engine Specifications
The table below shows layman specifications. For the complete set and for power band graphs, check here.

Kubota Super Three Engines

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A Look at Kubota’s Tsukuba Factory

An aerial shot of Kubota's Tsukuba Japan manufacturing plant.

Big Facilities
Kubota has three engine building facilities: Sakai, Sakai Rinkai and Tsukuba plants – named after the cities in which they reside. All are located in Japan on the eastern coast and all are of substantial size. The Sakai plant has been around since before World War II and employs more than 2100 people. The Tsukuba plant, pictured above, covers the largest area at around 83 acres or the same size as 63 American football fields.

These plants in Japan serve as both the facilities for Kubota equipment and engine building. There are research and development centers on site as well as engine emissions testing and compliance labs. Kubota is very keen on meeting and exceeding United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards. In the photo above it even looks like there is testing area for equipment on the green space bottom left – one can definitely see orange equipment dotted about.

State-Side Operations
All told, the three plants in Japan employ more than 3300 people. In addition, Kubota has two more plants state-side in Georgia, Jefferson and Gainesville. These plants are actually only about a 30 minute drive from one another and together employ another 1700. The Gainesville plant supplies one third of all equipment sold in the United States and manufactures the RTV, BX, lawn tractor and Kubota’s zero-turn models. The smaller Jefferson plant opened in February of 2006, employs 500 and primarily manufactures implements – loaders and backhoes – about 70,000 of them a year!

Serious About Engine Building
Kubota has been known to manufacture tractors for other organizations but some folks do not know that Kubota builds and sells engines not just for their own equipment. You can find Kubota engines in Bobcat, Skylift, Ingersol, Cub Cadet and a ton of other skid steers, mini track-hoes, free standing generators, marine applications, light panels and refrigeration units. It is Kubota’s Industrial Engine Division that handles this demand.

Kubota has dealers that are engine-only and do not have tractors or implements on the showroom floor. Northern Power Products is an example of such a dealership.

Tsukuba the City
The city that resides nearby Kubota’s plant, to the east, actually itself has some history. It is the result of a planned city that Japan started back in the 1960s. The Japanese government has bred the area into sort of a scientific hot spot with numerous research labs, two universities and around 240 private research facilities – all of this in a city of only about 200,000 people. About 50% of Japan’s research and development budget goes to the area. The city hosted the 1985 Expo and has its own very high tech transit system. Read more about it at Wikipedia.

Tsukuba Facility
The Tsukuba plant was built in 1975 and employs about 600 and Kubota manufactures its Super Three series of engines at this plant. The rumors you have heard regarding Japan, robots and a quest for efficiency is true – one third of the assembly line is automated. 15 robots perform basic engine assembly: crankcases, crank gear, pistons, connecting rods – all assembled automatically. 16 CNC robots perform the high precision task of machining engine blocks which leads to improved consistency and quality across the line.

A robot installs pistons on Kubota's automated assembly line.

Unfortunately we are not allowed to see inside the facility, but, we are still able to see what it looks like from space! Use Google Maps below to explore the Tsukuba facility from a satellite’s perspective. This will have to do until next time we are in the neighborhood to take pictures in person!

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